Steger board adopts 2026 annual appropriation despite trustee objections

The Board of Trustees of the Village of Steger voted to adopt Ordinance No. 1342-2026, the village’s annual appropriation for the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2026, during its March 2 regular meeting. The motion passed on a roll call with Trustees Hanus, Stewart, Thurmond and Trotier voting aye and Trustee Perchinski voting no.

Trustee Perchinski raised a series of detailed questions about line-item changes and staffing allocations, saying, “I am really surprised, this is $8 million more than our budget last year,” and challenging administrators to explain apparent budget shifts. Village Administrator Joseph Wiszowaty responded that the primary difference reflected a new apportionment method that separates salaries between the general fund and the water fund and said the numbers had been validated by the village’s financial advisors.

Perchinski also questioned a clerical salary line and a new position, noting the clerical allocation totaled $260,076 while payroll and the additional position summed to $280,000; Administrator Wiszowaty said “everyone’s accounted for within the budget in those numbers.” The debate included a question about a budgeted $18,720 for new vehicles and whether police costs were being correctly categorized; Wiszowaty said the larger amount covered potential police-related costs and a $19,000 recovery on a totaled vehicle.

After limited additional discussion the board voted to call the question and approve the ordinance. The board did not adopt any amendment or direct additional staff work during the vote; Trustee Perchinski’s objections were recorded in the meeting minutes. The ordinance takes effect as adopted; the village did not specify any further public hearings on the appropriation during the meeting.